Acid reflux ? breathing

[Villain2100]

Hi, it started for me about 3 months ago, when I began to feel a beating in my stomach between my rib cage and belly button, I went to my doctors who examined me and said it was gastritis and put me on a course of Omeprazole for a month during this time other symptoms arose and my condition got worse.

Other symptoms include: Beating in neck, sore dry throat, excess saliva in mouth sometimes with mucus (particularly of a morning), clearing of throat and mouth regularly, slight wet/runny nose made worse by eating, breathing difficulties which started off as a morning thing that would clear up in a few hours to now being permanent, aching heavy legs in the morning, slight aching to back and chest, uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen just above the beating like there’s pressure there (this comes and goes), a general warm feeling after I’ve eaten, trouble sleeping (I can get off to sleep at night no problem but always wake between 5am and 7am and can never get back to sleep).

I went back when the course finished and he said he wanted to put me on the usual bland diet (which I’d already started anyway) and try me on Lansprazole for a few weeks to see if that helped, and in the meantime wanted to run some tests: I’ve had an ECG, Chest x-ray, Abdomen ultrasound, and blood tests, all come back clear.

Nothing has worked and he has now referred me to a Gastroenterologist and have my appointment next week.

I have no pain to speak of just general uncomfort, my biggest worry for me is the breathing which seems to have got progressively worse, I’m guess I have acid reflux or a related problem but want any advice before the appointment or any help with remedies or anything really. This seems to be taking over my life and I feel down a lot and getting very irritable and impatient.

[selmaS]

Hi , thanks for the update....I was glad to hear it wasn't ne thing major and once u get the PND under control that should help ur gerd issues.

Good luck and do post a thread on ur progress : )

"selma"

[Villain2100]

Hi there, just thought I’d post an update as I’ve been going through the motions for the last couple of months having tests and seeing specialists etc.  

Since my last post I’ve had an endoscopy and a barium swallow, both of which come back clear.  Most recently I’ve seen an ENT who examined me and looked up my nose/down my throat with a scope and said I have got a nasal allergy producing lots of mucus which is causing post nasal drip into my throat/stomach,  he’s put me on nasal drops for a couple of weeks and then I’m to use a nasal spray for 2 months before my next appointment, and see if that relieves my symptoms and take it from there.  

My next appointment with the GI isn’t until after Christmas now either so fingers crossed if I can get the PND under control the indigestion will follow.

[selmaS]

Well it seems ur wish was granted...he is running more tests....maybe not the one u expected....but he is running a test.

Depending on what he finds he may do more....the results will direct him as to what to look at next.

I know how slow this process seems to take.

Hang in there

"selma"

[Villain2100]

Yeah I know I need to be more patient with these things but its difficult when I feel so rubbish all the time.  The last thing I want is anymore guess work, I was just hoping he would run/schedule more tests especially with my breathing symptoms, but all he did was examine me and say my chest sounded clear and he wanted to get the endoscopy done.

Got the appointment through for the endoscopy straight away today and its scheduled for the end of the month, which is as soon as can be expected as it says on the letter the PPIs need to be out of your system and that takes 14 days.

[selmaS]

I know it seems the medical profession moves much too slow for those of us trying to get answers.

In addition to the steam bath w/vicks..do look into getting a saline nasal spray.

Unfortunatley the drs do have to conduct tests to rule other conditions out....so many have overlapping symptoms....the dr can take a guess, but u wouldn't get ne better.

Try to relax...try the steam and nasal spray....and gaviscon......plus watch ur diet....u may feel better b4 the next appointment.

"selma"

[Villain2100]

Just a quick update to say I’ve been to my appointment with the GI, and as I feared I’ve got no real help or answers.  He’s wants me to have an endoscopy and have to wait for the appointment (2-3 weeks). Apart from that nothing really, he says if the tablets aren’t working then don’t take them and use Gaviscon.  I mentioned post nasal drip and he said it could be and to inhale steam bath (vicks in boiling water) daily until the appointment to see if that clears it.

[selmaS]

Try a saline nasal spray and see if cleaning out ur sinues helps u at all.

R u under alot of stress other than bcuz of this condition?...like at work?

If so, try to relax using diff methods like yoga or meditation.

Please post an update

Good luck
"selma"

[Villain2100]

Many thanks for the reply,

No i haven't been checked for post nasal drip, a quick search provided some interesting information and something i will definitely query with the GI as it seems I have some of the symptoms.

I am already keeping a food diary to show the GI what I’ve been eating, but i can't for the life of me find anything that specifically triggers it, maybe something will stand out to him.  I've cut out all the things suggested: Citrus fruits, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine or carbonated drinks, fatty or processed foods, tomatoes or tomato based products, chocolate or and type of dessert/cake/ice cream, and I’ve never smoked.  I've never really been overweight anyway but I’ve lost about 1-1.5 stone in the last 3 months on this diet and its getting to the stage where i don't know what to eat and its driving me mad.

Eating earlier doesn’t make a difference, I still wake up with a dry mouth this sticky phlegm in my mouth, not lots, I’m not waking up choking on it or anything its just there and seems to come during the day as well.

I've tried several natural remedies: digestive enzymes (give some relief when eating, not so full afterwards), Aloe Vera Juice (not really notice any improvements), DGL Liquorice (seems to aggravate it).

Any other things anyone can recommend I ask the GI to check out, as I want to try and make a list of things to go through with him, as I know what it will be like, I’ll forget a third of things I wanted to ask when I get in there.

Any others suggestions or advice as what I can do would be welcome.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Were u checked for post nasal drip?.....if not, this can cause reflux.....

A GI dr is the best way to go.

In addition to the diet changes u made there r lifestyle changes to do as well...and keeping a journal to see what ur triggers r.

Relaxation can be very helpful ...try to do yoga or meditation.

"selma"